On Her 9th Birthday, Father Hopes to Bring Joy to Daughter Kidnapped by Hamas

Edited by:  Fern Sidman

In the aftermath of the October 7 massacre and subsequent attacks, a tragic tale emerges of Emily Hand, a young girl kidnapped by Hamas terrorists and falsely reported as dead, as was reported by the Jerusalem Post. Turning nine years old on Friday while in captivity in Gaza, Emily, who possesses Irish and Israeli citizenship, was abducted from a sleepover at her friend’s house in Kibbutz Be’eri, along with her friend’s mother, Raya Rotem, the report added.

Initially believed to be among the casualties, her father, Tom Hand, expressed a sense of relief that she was not suffering among the over 240 hostages taken to Gaza by Hamas. However, weeks later, he received heartbreaking news that she was, in fact, taken away by Hamas, leaving her fate uncertain.

Tom Hand, a 64-year-old Irish immigrant, worked in the kibbutz where he met Emily’s mother Liat. The JPost repoted that Liat died when Emily was just two-and-a-half years old, and the family continued to live in the kibbutz. However, tragedy struck on October 7 when more than 100 people were killed in Kibbutz Be’eri during the brutal Hamas attack. Among the victims was Hand’s first wife Narkis, the JPost report added.

In a poignant moment, Tom Hand expressed the initial relief he felt upon hearing the unofficial reports of Emily’s death, believing it would be a swift end to her suffering, as was indicated in the JPost report. However, the subsequent realization that she was alive and in Gaza has left him grappling with the harsh reality of her captivity.

“Now I know she is in Gaza and she’s alive. She’s going to be nine in the tunnels. She won’t even know it’s her birthday. She’ll have no idea of night or day or time,” Hand said, highlighting the heartbreaking circumstances of Emily’s captivity.

Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Hand has shifted his mindset to focus on bringing Emily and other hostages back. Expressing his determination, he remarked, “We’re going to get her back. We’re going to get them all back,” the JPost reported.  Hand shared his plans to provide Emily with joy, mentioning her love for Beyonce and his commitment to giving her memorable experiences.

“I’ll make sure I’ll get her to the next Beyonce concert. Bring her to Disney World, I’ll spend all my money, every penny I’ve got to give her fun to make up for everything that she’s lost and everything she’s going through,” he said, fighting back tears, as was noted in the JPost report. “I’m going to give her the world.”

As rumors circulate about potential deals between Israel and Hamas for the release of hostages, families like the Hands are left waiting, clinging to hope for a reunion. Tom Hand’s message to Emily is one of strength and reassurance, as he declared, “We’re all waiting for her. We know we’re going to get you back. Be strong every day and wait, we’re coming to get you. We’re coming to get you home. We’re going to bring you home.”

Meanwhile, in New York City, members of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum gathered outside of the private residence of Antonio Guterres, the United Nations Secretary General and shouted, “Come celebrate Emily’s birthday with us! Do you even care at all about the 41 abducted children being held captive underground? Will you join us? Or is it more convenient to spew anti-Semitism?”

The protesters are also calling for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas. The demonstrators said that “Emily is spending her birthday alone, with no family beside her, in captivity, held in the hands of Hamas terrorists.”

Participants sang birthday songs in Emily’s honor, and the names of all 239 hostages held captive in Gaza at the hands of Hamas, were read out loud.